Recently I found myself between phones for a couple of days and ended up buying a cheap little ZTE to bridge the gap. It was a rather nostalgic few days as it reminded me greatly of the old pre-smartphone “brick” phones (Brick referring to pre-smartphone phones, not the original “size of a brick” phones) we all used to use. As a media device, it left a lot to be desired, using the internet was technically possible but a major chore to load even the simplest of web pages. On the other hand, as far as calling and texting went it performed just fine, and I certainly wasn’t worried about breaking the screen or the battery running out to quickly. All in all, it was a perfectly acceptable substitute for a limited period of time and since I purchased a new smartphone it has sat in a drawer doing nothing.

Few people these days would permanently change their smartphones for one of these simpler devices but that doesn’t stop everyone on the internet from reminiscing rather fondly about them, particularly the old Nokia brick phones. Famed for their incredible battery life and nigh on indestructibility these devices have achieved cult status in the minds of many and Nokia now look to be attempting to cash in on that reputation with a re-release of one of those iconic devices.

Nokia have struggled in the mobile market in the last few years, the development of the smartphone ended much of Nokia’s market share and the Finnish company was sold to Microsoft in 2013. Sadly, Microsoft’s run of Nokia branded windows OS smartphones enjoyed limited success and eventually the rights to the Nokia name were sold again. This time around the brand is owned by HDM Global, a company comprised of former employees from the original Nokia. They have already announced several android based smartphones, the Nokia 6 a mid-range device and the Nokia 5 & 3 which will feature in the lower-end and entry level markets respectively.

Their latest announcement is re-release of the Nokia 3310 (See picture below). Sadly, this is not the same device which was ubiquitous on NZ streets 15 years ago, that was the 2280. Luckily the design of the two devices is similar enough to give you all the nostalgia buzz you require, though it is unknown at this point whether it will make it to the NZ market, how much it would cost to get your hands on one, whether its iconic status will actually get people to buy it, and of course the most important question of all…. Will it have snake?